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EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS FOR ICA CONFERENCE 2019 NOW OPEN

The annual Independent Cinemas Australia (ICA) Conference is the ‘must attend’ event on the film industry calendar for everyone seeking to connect with independent cinema owners, distributors and suppliers. The 2018 event, The Point Of Difference was an outstanding success attracting around 200 delegates to trade presentations, distributor presentations, business development seminars, panel discussions and the gala dinner celebrating another successful year.

Our 2019 event is focused on helping choose the best suppliers and best outcomes – brilliant entertainment that increases yield – and better operations that deliver the most sustainable businesses at each unique location.

Digital disruption is starting to bite and global consolidation amongst exhibitors, distributors and equipment suppliers’ present real challenges in the independent sector.Increasing competition for patron’s leisure time and the increasing costs and complexity of the cinema business can be exhausting. Exhibitors are inundated by competing suppliers, film content choices and complex marketing options.

Take time out. Join industry experts and key speakers to explore how exhibitors and suppliers can best work strategically together making the right choices to increase attendance, and continually improve the unique entertainment experience that can only be found at an independent cinema.

ICA exhibitor members receive one complimentary pass full delegate pass in 2019 (including our Gala Dinner at the Melbourne Cricket Ground). Contact ICA if you would like to join. Book early and use the savings to bring a friend/co-worker!

EARLY BIRDS REGISTER NOW AND SAVE:

ICA Members – $725Non-members – $1,020

ICA Members – Full Registration $830Non-members – Full Registration $1,160

ICA has secured accommodation at the following hotels close to the conference venue, should you require accommodation in Melbourne please contact Brad Thomas our travel agent directly OR simply jump on to Expedia or Booking.com NOW to secure a range of accommodation deals online:

ComoSuperior King Rooms$220.00 room & Wi-Fi, per room per nightValue AddsBreakfast for 1 guest served in The Brasserie is priced at $30.00 per person per day (retail price is $35.00 per person per day)Valet parking is priced at $30.00 per vehicle per day (retail price is $40.00 per vehicle per day)Complimentary Access to Roof Top Swimming Pool & Gymnasium

Quest On ChapelOne Bedroom Queen Apartment $190.00 per nightOne Bedroom Executive Apartment $210.00 per nightTwo Bedroom Apartment $310.00 per nightIf Car Parking is required happy to provide this at the discounted rate of $20.00 per day.WiFi included in rate.

Complete your registration form now to join us at the beautiful Palace Como in cosmopolitan Melbourne.

We look forward to seeing you in 2019 for what we are sure will be another stellar ICA Conference!______________

PAST CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GROW INDEPENDET CINEMA TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL

The New Customer Equation was an outstanding success attracting around 200 delegates to trade presentations, distributor presentations, business development seminars, panel discussions and the gala dinner celebrating another record-breaking year.

In 2018 the ICA Conference theme focused on The Point Of Difference – how to develop the unique selling point that attracts new customers to your business and how to increase the frequency and value of visits to independent cinemas in Australia.

A key insight from the MPDAA’s SARA research was that Comfort, Convenience and Choice determines how cinema customers perceive value. With competing leisure options and an increasingly competitive commercial environment it is critical to get the formula right. Every exhibitor needs to understand and apply this new customer equation to maximise returns for each individual business. As always the ICA Conference focused on how exhibitors and suppliers can best work strategically together to increase attendance at our cinemas, and reinforce and continually improve the unique entertainment experience that can only be found at an independent cinema.

ICA brought key business speakers together to address the theatrical exhibition business against the backdrop, challenges and rewards of the latest research and technology innovations.

Our aim is to provide the equipment, programming and marketing information exhibitors need to grow the business, deliver comfort, convenience and choice to customers, and use digital to its full potential.

‘The New Customer Equation’ 2017 ICA conference focused on the insights from the 2016 MPDAA SARA Research, providing a framework for discussion and analysis at our popular business sessions. A range of fellow exhibitors and industry experts examined how to deliver new customers to your business and how to increase the frequency and value of visits to independent cinemas in Australia.

For the first time, ICA introduced an afternoon of more intensive training sessions on Monday 1st May designed for independent operators and their senior staff to deep dive into specific areas of cinema operations, marketing and finance.

OPENING SESSIONS

OPENING KEYNOTE: UNDERSTANDING THE CUSTOMER VALUE EQUATION

Peter Drinkwater from Screen Audience Research Australia and House of Brand outlined key actions indie exhibitors can take right now to improve attendance and profitability by increasing perceived value in your brand and the customer's experience of your cinema.

DISTRIBUTOR PRESENTATIONS:

SUPPLIER PRESENTATIONS on the latest innovations from Gold Sponsor Christie, together with Hoyts Cinema Technology Group and Hollywood Software including our 20:20 Exhibitor Training Intensive.

Anthos Simon, General Manager for Silver Sponsor, Edge Digital Technology presented a case study on how Event Cinemas have innovated 'front of house' deploying a digital signage system and tailored content to better attract patrons and increase per capital spend.

INDUSTRY KEYNOTE: DELIVERING CUSTOMER VALUE - THE PRICE PERCEPTION

Dev Verhoevan from Deakin University gave an update on fascinating research into indie cinema pricing followed by a panel discussion on this hotly debated topic.

BUSINESS INSIGHT SESSIONS:

The ICA Conference featured thought provoking sessions directly relevant to the business of exhibition.

Andrew Cloke, partner from Price Waterhouse Coopers, presented on Getting Your Cinema Ready For Sale or Succession - a must for every exhibitor whether a family business, multi-site circuit or both!

Industry members gathered for the Gala Dinner at The Establishment Ballroom on the last night of the conference and cheered Andrew Ward who was presented the ICALifetime Achievement Award by Mike Bosworth Managing Director of Christie Gold Sponsor of the ICA Conference and Gala Dinner.

“I’m very humbled to receive this award, I didn’t expect it, my life in film has been a big buzz and I wouldn’t choose any other industry to be in.” Said Andrew on receiving his award.

The Mark Sarfaty CEO Award for Outstanding Service to Independent Cinema was awarded to Benjamin Zeccola who encapsulated his feelings of the award and ICA by saying “Thank you, this means so much to me, but it’s a team effort.The thing I’ve loved about joining ICA is the connection we have to each other. Realising that there are so many other family business faced with the similar challenges relieved the burden somewhat.

So when I look around this room I see mentors, Friends and competitors who are actually pretty friendly and COMPETITION IS GOOD. The better our competition is, the better our businesses will also be.”

The annual Independent Cinemas Australia (ICA) Conference is the ‘must attend’ event on the film industry calendar for everyone seeking to connect with independent cinema owners, distributors and suppliers. With ICA representing over 80% of commercial independent cinema owners, and over 830 screens in Australia and New Zealand, we are well placed to introduce members and suppliers and help facilitate successful and profitable partnerships across the independent cinema sector.

Sessions included:• 9 distributor presentations including our Gold Sponsor 20th Century Fox• Keynote addresses on the Media Entertainment Outlook from PWC and cinema innovation case studies at home and abroad from award winning independent exhibitors John Kelly and Michael Smith• The latest developments in cinema operations from Christie Digital Systems, and in point of sale from the Vista Group• A tour of the Superpop factory featuring special ‘one day only’ equipment offers and prices for exhibitors attending on the day• ACCC Update on new protections for small business on unfair business contracts• A forum on Australian Women In Film in support of the Natalie Miller Fellowship, featuring an expert panel and case study on the success of The Dressmaker.

The Dressmaker Case Study included a Movio presentation on the significance of our female audience

Industry members gathered at the Gala Dinner on the final night gave a standing ovation to Allan Stiles, Managing Director of Grand Cinemas. Allan was presented the ICALifetime Achievement Award by Marc Wooldridge Managing Director of Twentieth Century Fox who commended Allan on over 50 years contribution to and outstanding achievements in the film industry with Grand Cinemas.

“I feel very humble & honoured to receive this prestigious award & to be recognised for my contribution & benevolence to the industry by my Peers for just doing what I love.” Said Allan on receiving his award.

The Mark Sarfaty CEO Award for Outstanding Service to Independent Cinema was awarded to Denis Parkes.

Denis Parkes is proud owner and hands on manager of The Picture Show Man Theatre in Merimbula NSW a modern two screen complex. Denis is a long standing member of ICA and is a past president. Denis was awarded the ICA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 and very proud to now be the recipient of the Mark Sarfaty CEO Award for Outstanding Service to Independent Cinema. Denis is Chairman of the committee to establish the Mark Sarfaty Cinema and Performing Arts Benevolent Fund, working tirelessly through red-tape for 5 years to get charity status for the fund.

The 2015 ICA Conference brought delegates together in Sydney at beautiful Dendy Cinemas Opera Quays. The theme of the conference was Redefining the Cinema Experience and focused on the core business of content and marketing against the backdrop, challenges and rewards of full digital conversion. It provided delegates with information on how to help their businesses be robust, financially sustainable and deliver the most engaging, relevant and valuable cinema experience into the future.

The 2014 Conference had the theme of Growing The Market and saw the launch of the My Cinema Marketing Platform. The platform brings ICA member exhibitors together in a national umbrella circuit featuring a national brand identity. In 2015 we saw the launch of the My Cinema Premiere initiative, a new special event preview screening series at independent cinemas in a premium environment. The launch title for this exciting initiative was the new Australian feature ‘LAST CAB TO DARWIN’. To read more CLICK HERE

ICA Lifetime Achievement Award

Mark Sarfaty CEO Award

In memory of the late Mark Sarfaty, ICA's inaugural CEO, the ICA CEO this year recognised Bob Parr for his outstanding work for and on behalf of Independent Cinemas. The award was presented by Mr Russell Anderson, 20th Century Fox.

ICA Award Winners

Year

ICA Lifetime Achievement Award

Mark Sarfaty CEO Award for Outstanding Service to Indie Cinemas

2018

2017

2016

2015

Chris Mitchell

Andrew Ward

Allan Stiles

Russell Anderson

Nick Hayes

Benjamin Zeccola

Denis Parkes

Bob Parr

2014

Leo Catalano

Robert Reeve

2013

Antonio Zeccola

Kieren Dell

2012

Robert Ward

Ross Entwistle & Barry Peak – Inaugural Award

2011

Lorna Wallis

2010

Natalie Miller

2009

Andrew Pike

2008

Denis Parkes

Join ICA Now and benefit from Conference Member Registration Rates, simply contact the Secretariat for an Application Form.